Baguio is a hill station in the northern region of the Philippines. This city of pines is the summer capital of the country. Baguio is widely visited by people to escape the chaotic life and heat of Manila and other southern regions.
Baguio offers plenty of attractions that showcase its rich heritage, indigenous culture and thriving flora and fauna. Here are the 10 attractions you must visit while in Baguio.
The Lourdes Grotto:
Lourdes Grotto in the Dominican hill is a popular attraction in Baguio, people flock in the grotto to meditate and to pray or to get the stunning view of the city from the top.
Diplomat Hotel:
Diplomat Hotel of Baguio has gained its reputation for being the notorious place in the city. Once a famous hotel, now its considered one of the top haunted places in Baguio City.
The Bencab Museum:
The Museum is dedicated to the life and work of Benedicto Reyes Cabrera (BenCab), a Filipino painter who was recognized as The National Artist of the Philippines for Visual Arts (Painting) in 2006. The museum depicts Filipino crafts and modern art displayed in tandem, in a space that evokes both ultra modernism and is partly modelled after a traditional rice terrace. End your visit to the museum by grabbing a cup of coffee at the cafe overlooking the rice terraces at the ground level of the museum.
Camp John Hay:
Camp John Hay was once a rest and recreation facility of the U.S. Armed Forces in Asia, its now the most popular attraction for tourists in the city. Around the camp, there are beautiful gardens, parks, picnic areas, hiking trails and an amphitheatre that wind through the pine trees and rolling hills within the former military reservation.
Strawberry Farm:
Your trip to Baguio would be incomplete without visiting the Strawberry farms, something that the Pine City is famous for. Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad Valley, Benguet, are open for Strawberry picking from November to May every year.
Burnham Park:
Located in the heart of the Baguio city, Burnham Park is centred around a man-made lake. There are many recreation facilities available in this park. You can row a boat, have a picnic, visit the orchidarium where various kinds of plants, trees and flowers are sold or go biking. There are also tennis and basketball courts and a circular skating rink where skates can be rented.
Mines View Park:
From the observation deck of the park a breathtaking panoramic view of Benguet’s gold and copper mines and the surrounding mountains unfolds before you. It is a spectacular sight to behold and should not be missed when visiting Baguio.
Chinese Temple:
The well-manicured garden with several pathways would be a love at first sight. Striking colours of red, green and yellow adorn the walls, a wishing well with koi fishes and pagodas all over the complex would be a rewarding experience.
Baguio Cathedral:
Baguio Cathedral, also known as Our Lady of the Atonement Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Cathedral dedicated to Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Atonement. It served as an evacuation centre under the Japanese Occupation during Second World War. Its distinctive stained glass windows, pink exterior and twin spires make it a reowned tourist attraction in the city.
The Mansion:
The Mansion is the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines. Built in 1908 to serve as the official summer residence of U.S. Governor-Generals, the Mansion House consists of a guest house and an elegantly designed Spanish Colonial Revival main building. One of the most photographed sections of the property are the main gate which is made of ornate ironwork.
